Mouse-proof pedal.



PATENTED APR. 25, 1905.

P. S. SMITH.

MOUSE PROOF PEDAL.

APPLICATION FILED 1350.23, 1904.

JNVENTOR. {M0 JM UNITED STATES Patented April 25, 1905.

PATENT OEEIcE.

FRED S. SMITH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BALDIVIN COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MOUSE-PROOF PEDAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,438, dated April 25, 1905.

' Application filed December 23, 1904. Serial No. 238,043.

T0 u/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mouse-Proof Pedals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the pedals adapted for use on pianos, organs, and other musical instruments; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to provide a simple device to prevent mice from getting into musical instruments through the open ings provided for the pedals; second, to provide a device of the class stated with new and novel features, and, third, to provide a new article of m'anufacture-a device to prevent mice from getting into pianos, organs, and other musical instruments and which will add to the efficiency and appearance of the musical instrument without materially increasing the cost thereof. I attain these objects as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower portion of an upright piano, showing my improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of pianopedal in normal position, showing the pedalopenings in the rail closed and protected. Fig. 3 is cross-section showing the position of the pedal when in use.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the lower or pedal rail of a pianoforte, having openings 2 on the lower side of the same, through which the pedals 3 project. In this case I show two pedals, although any number of pedals may be used. The pedals 3 are mounted in the ordinary way on the bottom board 4 and are adapted to be connected to the action of the piano, so as to control the dampers and other devices in common use. The pedal 3 is provided with a drop 5 of sulficient depth to cover the opening 2 in the rail 1 when the pedal is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, and for the best results the pedal should be so mounted that the drop 5 is brought almost in contact with the face of the rail.

A lip 6 projects inwardly from the lower edge of the drop 5 on a line parallel to the bottom edge of the pedal, the object of which is to completely close the opening in the rail 1 when the pedal is in its normal position, in which position the opening is greater than when the pedal is depressed, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 3, owing to the difference in arc of circles described from the pivot-bearing of the pedal through the point where the drop 5 joins the pedal and the point where the lip 6 is attached. The lip 6 also compensates for any variation in the projection of the pedals through the rail 1 due to expansion or contraction of the bottom board A, to which the pedals are attached. The lip 6 can be either cast integral with the pedal or made separately and attached to the pedal.

In order to make my device more effective, I use a pedal-guard 7, placed in the usual way on the front of the pedal-rail, said guard having a deep flange 8 projecting at right angles to the face of the same, said flange extending across the width of the rail 1 and resting on the upper surfaceof the bottom board 4:. The guard T is provided with the usual openings 9, through which the pedals 3 project. It will be seen that the flange 8 of the guard 7 forms a plate which rests on the thin edge of the bottom board A and prevents mice from cutting their way through the same.

In case it is not desirable to place a pedalguard on the rail 1 a metal plate may be used in lieu of the same, and when secured to the exposed upper edge of the bottom board in a position under the pedals it becomes equally effective, in combination with the drop and lip of the pedals, in preventing the entrance of mice into the instrument.

Having described my invention, what I de sire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A pedal for musical instruments having a drop and a lip projecting inwardly from the lower edge of said drop, substantially as described.

2. In a musical instrument the combination with a pedal having a drop and a lip projecting inwardly from the lower edge of said drop of a bottom board, to which said pedal is at tached, said bottom board being protected at the ex posed edge under the pedal with metal, substantially as described.

3. in a musical instrument the combination 5with a pedal having a drop and lip projecting inwardly from the lower edge of said drop of a bottom board to which said pedal is attached, a pedal-rail, and a pedal-guard adapted to be attached to said rail, said guard having openings for the pedals and a flange projecting at right angles to the same, substantially as described.

4. ln a'musical instrument the combination with a pedal 3 having a drop 5 and a lip 6 projecting inwardly from the lower edge oi said drop, of a bottom board 4 to which said pedal is attached, a pedal-rail 1, and a pedal-guard 7 adapted to be attached to said rail, said guard having openings 9 for the pedals 3 and a flange 8 projecting at right angles to the same, said flange being adapted to rest on the exposed edge of the bottom hoard i immediately under the pedal, substantially as described.

FRED S. SMITH.

Witnesses:

L. D. SARG ENT, 0. D. Em). 

